[2026] PTE Academic Reading - Multiple Choice, Single Answer

The 'Death of the Author' theory, proposed by Roland Barthes, revolutionized literary criticism by shifting the focus from the creator's intent to the reader's interpretation. Barthes argued that a text's meaning is not a fixed message transmitted by a solitary figure, but rather a multi-dimensional space where various writings blend and clash. While this perspective empowers the audience by making the reader the ultimate destination of meaning, it has faced significant academic opposition. Critics contend that dismissing an author's biography and historical context can lead to subjective interpretations that ignore essential socio-political nuances. Furthermore, the total erasure of the author risks treating creative works as sterile linguistic puzzles rather than profound forms of personal and human expression. Ultimately, a balanced critique suggests that both authorial context and reader perception are necessary to fully appreciate the rich tapestry of any literary work.